Treno: differenze tra le versioni

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[[Image:Tile_Hill_train_550.jpg|thumb|right|325px|An electric multiple unit pulling into Tile Hill station; Coventry, England]]

Il '''treno''' è un mezzo di trasporto composto da una serie di vagoni ferroviari connessi tra di loro, in grado di essere spostati assieme lungo una strada ferrata, allo scopo di trasportare merci o passeggeri lungo un determinato percorso. Tale percorso è composto da binari convenzionali, ma esistono anche sistemi a [[monorotaia]] o a [[levitazione magnetica]] ([[maglev]]). La propulsione del treno può essere fornita da diverse fonti, ma Propulsiondi forsolito theproviene trainda may come from a variety of sources, but often from auna [[locomotive]] or self-propelled [[multiple unitlocomotiva]].

==Types of trains==

There are various types of train designed for particular purposes, see [[rail transport operations]].

A train can consist of a combination of a [[locomotive]] and attached [[railroad car]]s, or a self-propelled [[multiple unit]] (or occasionally a single powered coach, called a [[railcar]]). Trains can also be hauled by horses, pulled by a cable, or run downhill by gravity.

Special kinds of trains running on corresponding special 'railways' are [[atmospheric railway]]s, [[monorail]]s, [[high-speed rail]]ways, [[maglev]], [[rubber-tired underground]], [[funicular]] and [[cog railway]]s.

A [[passenger train]] may consist of one or several locomotives, and one or more coaches. Alternatively, a train may consist entirely of passenger carrying coaches, some or all of which are powered as a "[[multiple unit]]".

[[Freight train]]s comprise wagons or trucks rather than carriages, though some parcel and mail trains (especially [[Travelling Post Office]]s) are outwardly more like passenger trains.

A train hauled by two locomotives is said to be "double headed".

Trains can also be mixed, hauling both passengers and freight, see e.g. [[Transportation in Mauritania]]. Such mixed trains have become rare in many countries.

Special trains are also used for [[track]] maintenance.

A single uncoupled rail vehicle is not technically a train, but is usually referred to a such for signalling reasons.

==Traction==

[[Image:Train.calcot.grange.750pix.jpg|thumb|right|250px|4-6-0 Grange Class steam train (Calcot Grange) at Temple Meads station, Bristol, England. Built 1937 and withdrawn from use 1965]]

The first trains were rope-hauled or pulled by horses, but from the early [[19th century]], almost all were powered by [[steam engine]]s. From the [[1920s]] onwards they began to be replaced by [[diesel]] (and some [[petrol]]) and [[electric]]-hauled trains. Most countries had replaced steam trains for day-to-day use, by the [[1970s]]. A few countries, most notably the [[People's Republic of China]] and [[India]] where [[coal]] is in cheap and plentiful supply, still use steam trains, but this is being gradually phased out. Historical steam trains still run in many other countries, for the leisure and enthusiast market.

Modern locomotives and powered coaches may have a [[diesel engine]] and/or [[electric motor]]s. On the most common form of diesel train, the diesel engine drives a generator which provides power for electric motors which turn the wheels (diesel-electric), or in some cases the power from the diesel engine is transferred to the wheels by [[hydraulic]] means (diesel-hydraulic). Mechanical transmission, like that in an automobile, is used on a few trains, and shunting engines (switchers). However diesel powered trains are expensive to run. Where a railway line has sufficient traffic to justify the expense, it may be [[Electrification|electrified]], to allow the running of electric powered trains, which are cheap to run, and have higher performance than diesel trains.

For straight electric trains the power to run the electric motors is generated at a [[power station]] and supplied to the train by some form of distribution system. There are two common means of doing this, current may be supplied to the train by [[overhead lines|overhead wires]], or by a [[third rail elecric system|third rail system]]. Funiculars do not have an engine within the vehicle, but are pulled on a cable by a motor in the station.

==Passenger trains==

Passenger trains have '''[[Railroad_car#Passenger cars|passenger cars]]'''.

Passenger trains travel between [[train station|stations]]; the distance between stations may vary from under 1 km to much more.

Long-distance trains, sometimes crossing several countries, may have a [[restaurant|dining]] or restaurant car; they may also have [[sleeping car]]s, but not in the case of high-speed rail, these arrive at their destination before the night falls and are in competition with [[airplane]]s in speed. Very long distance trains such as those on the [[Trans-Siberian railway]] are usually not high-speed.

Very fast trains sometimes [[tilting train|tilt]].

For trains connecting cities, we can distinguish inter-city trains, which do not halt at small stations, and trains that serve all stations, usually known as [[local trains]] or "stoppers" (and sometimes an intermediate kind, see also [[limited-stop]]).

For shorter distances many cities have networks of [[commuter train]]s, serving the city and its suburbs. Some carriages may be laid out to have more standing room than seats, or to facilitate the carrying of prams, cycles or wheelchairs. Some countries have some [[double decker|double-decked]] passenger trains for use in conurbations. Double deck high speed and sleeper trains are becoming more common in Europe.

Passenger trains usually have [[emergency]] [[brake]] handles (or a "communication cord") that the public can operate. Abuse is punished by a [[fine]].

Large cities often have a [[metro]] system, also called underground, subway or tube. The trains are electrically powered, usually by third rail, and their railroads are separate from other traffic, without [[level crossing]]s. Usually they run in tunnels in the center and sometimes on elevated structures in the outer parts of the city. They can accelerate and decelerate faster than heavier, long-distance trains.

A light one- or two-car rail vehicle running through the streets is not called a train but a [[tram]] or streetcar, but the distinction is not strict.

The term [[light rail]] is sometimes used for a modern tram, but it may also mean an intermediate form between a tram and a train, similar to metro except that it may have level crossings. These are often protected with crossing gates.

[[Maglev]] trains and [[monorail]]s represent minor technologies in the train field.

The term '''rapid transit''' is used for public transport such as commuter trains, metro and light-rail.

See also [[people mover]], [[trains in the Netherlands]], [[trains in Germany]], [[liberalization]] in train transport, [[driving]].

==Freight Trains==

[[Image:Wagons 550.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Freight wagons filled with limestone await unloading, at sidings in Rugby, England]]

Freight trains have '''[[Railroad_car#Freight cars|freight cars]]'''.

Much of the world's freight is transported by train. In countries such as the [[USA]] the rail system is used mostly for transporting freight.

Under the right circumstances, transporting freight by train is highly economic, and also more energy efficient than transporting freight by road.

Rail freight is most economic, when freight is being carried in bulk and over long distances. But is less suited to short distances and small loads.

The main disadvantage of rail freight is its lack of flexibillity, for this reason, rail has lost much of the freight business to [[road transport|road competition]]. Many governments are now trying to encourage more freight onto trains, because of the environmental benefits that it would bring.

There are many different types of freight train, which are used to carry many different kinds of freight, with many different types of [[wagon]]. One of the most common types on modern railways are [[container]] trains, whereby the containers can be lifted on and off the train by [[crane]]s and loaded off or onto [[truck]]s or [[ship]]s.

This type of freight train has largely superseded the traditional "box wagon" type of freight train, whereby the cargo had to be loaded or unloaded manually.

In some countries "piggy back" trains are used whereby [[truck]]s can drive straight onto the train and drive off again when the end destination is reached. A system like this is used on the [[Channel Tunnel]] between [[England]] and [[France]]. There are also some "inter-modal" vehicles, which have two sets of wheels, for use in a train, or as the trailer of a road vehicle.

There are also many other types of [[wagon]], such as "low loader" wagons for transporting road vehicles. There are [[refrigerator]] wagons for transporting food. There are simple types of open-topped wagons for transporting [[mineral]]s and bulk material such as [[coal]] and tankers for tranporting liquids and gases.

Freight trains are sometimes illegaly boarded by passengers who do not wish to or have the means to travel by ordinary means. This is referred to as "[[freighthopping|Hopping]]" and is considered by some communities to be a viable form of transport. Most hoppers sneak into train yards and stow away in boxcars. More bold hoppers will catch a train "on the fly", that is, as it is moving, leading to occasional fatalities, some of which go unrecorded.

==History==

Trains were first utilized in [[Roman]] times. See [[rail transport]], [[History of rail transport]].

Famous historical train services include the [[Orient Express]] and the [[Trans-Siberian railway|Trans-Siberian]].

==Fictional trains==

*[[Hogwarts Express]] ([[Harry Potter]])

*[[Things in Atlas Shrugged|Taggart Comet]] (''[[Atlas Shrugged]]'')

*''[[The Great Train Robbery (movie)|The Great Train Robbery]]'' -- first feature film to tell a story, also title of a modern film.

*''[[Starlight Express]]'' ([[Andrew Lloyd Webber]]) -- Musical about an old steam engine being replaced by an electrical engine

==See also==

*[[List of rail accidents]]

*[[Toy train]]

==External links==

*[http://mercurio.iet.unipi.it/ave/en-ave.htm High Speed Train]

*[http://home-2.worldonline.nl/~fgvdhurk/ Locomotives & Trainsets] by Frans van den Hurk, featuring electric locomotives

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